Netherland Office Products closes its doors in Houlton

16 years ago

By Mark Putnam
Staff writer

    HOULTON — A longtime office supply store in downtown Houlton has closed but company officials say the move is necessary to strengthen its core business in tough economic times.
    Netherland Office Products/Aroostook Internet closed last week and moved all inventory from the 5,500-square-foot Main Street store to the Presque Isle location. While the change did not affect outside sales staff, all three full-time in-store employees were offered positions in Presque Isle, said Dan Levesque, company president Friday.
    Levesque, who owns the company with his wife Kathy and son Jason, said rising costs of doing business including heating costs and taxes have forced Netherland to become more efficient by consolidating employees, services and inventory into one centralized store.
    “It is difficult to close a store — especially in Houlton where we have been in business 53 years — but making tough business decisions now will position us to be stronger in the future. We plan to cover more area and grow,” he said.
    “These challenging economic conditions make it necessary to avoid duplication, especially when it comes to overhead and stocking of inventory. We feel the changes will improve our overall efficiency and allow us to better serve all our Aroostook County customers,” Levesque added.
    Levesque said his company’s outside sales force, including Gil Morneault and Ronnie Shaw, will “continue to take care of our customers.” Netherland’s interactive Web site is also well suited to meet the growing needs of residential and business office product users, he said.
    To date, one of the former Houlton employees had agreed to work in Presque Isle.
    Levesque is confident the Shiretown storefront won’t remain vacant for long. His company is currently looking to sell or lease the 61 Main St. property.
    For more information about Netherland Office Products or Aroostook Internet, call toll free 1-800-752-4330 or go online to www.netherlandofficeproducts.com or www.ainop.com.